Dentistry
Routine Dental Examination and Dental Rasping
Horse teeth "grow" (emerge from the bone) throughout the entire horse's life. Sharp edges are commonly formed due to the normal side-to-side movement of the jaws while eating. Various other irregularities and sharp points can occur, especially when the occlusion of the horse is not ideal. All horses need oral examination and, if necessary, rasping at least once a year. Old and young (2 – 6 years) horses or horses with known problems should have their teeth checked more often. Contrary to common belief, problems cannot be ruled out based on a horse's good body condition and appetite.
In our clinic, we perform comprehensive oral examinations with dental rasping for all types of horses. All of our oral examinations are performed on a sedated horse using a mouth opener. This is to ensure the safety of the horse and people around the horse, and to carry out thorough inspection that otherwise would not be possible.
To find a solution that suits the best for the treatment of a specific horse, we can use different types of hand rasps and motorized equipment. As an additional diagnostics, oral endoscopy and dental radiographs can be used. In addition, computed tomography can be used for foals and miniponies.
We can also visit your stable for routine dental work. To carry out the procedures in your stable, at least a shelter is needed to allow fixing the horse during the procedures and afterwards as due to the sedation horses must be withheld from feed for 2 hours. Water source and electricity should be nearby to allow us to work smoothly.
Removal of Wolf Teeth
In our clinic, we remove wolf teeth routinely. Removal of wolf teeth is performed using sedation and local anesthetic. Wolf teeth can be removed at any age, but removal at age 1-2 years is preferred as removal is easier and risk of breaking the root is less more likely. This also allows wolf teeth to be removed before horses are in full work and gaps in training can be prevented. Gingiva usually heals very fast and does not need any special care besides not using bit for 14 days.
„Blind“ wolf teeth also occur. It means that they are present, but not erupted from gingiva. As their location is bit further away from other premolars, they are more likely to be in contact with the bit and cause problems because the gingiva can be crushed between the tooth and bit, causing pain for the horse. We can diagnose non-erupted wolf teeth by examining the horse and if necessary, use additional diagnostics as radiographs to make sure their location and other characteristics to aid the removal.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is usually indicated after tooth fracture and/or tooth root infection. Most commonly, procedure is done in standing sedation using constant rate infusions and local nerve blocks. Horse is fixed in stocks and head placed on the headstand. We have experienced anesthesiogists available to monitor the horse throughout the procedure.
Tooth extraction can last for several hours during which tooth is loosened and finally extracted.
Older horses often have loose teeth due to the fact that the teeth have been worn throughout the life and there is no longer enough tooth left in the gingiva to offer the stability for the tooth. Loose teeth can cause horse a lot of pain as they move while horse is chewing. Eating slowly, turning the head while eating, dropping food and losing weight can be signs that there is a problem.
In our clinic, we can perform all the necessary diagnostics to make sure whether a tooth needs to be extracted and we are equipped to perform extractions for multiple indications.
Treatment of Diastemas
A diastema is a space between two teeth that causes the food to be entrapped.
Diastemas can cause pain themselves and also lead to other painful conditions for the horse. As a result, horses with diastemas often have problems with weight loss due to not eating well or not using the feed efficiently. Half-chewed rolls of hay can also be noted.
Feed that gets stuck between the teeth becomes rotten and irritates the gums, which leads to gingivitis. Bad smell from the horse’s mouth is often present.
There are several types of treatment for diastemas and the treatment of the individual horse will depend on several aspects, including the characteristics of the diastema and the consequences of the condition. Regardless the chosen treatment method, diastema has to be properly cleaned every time an oral examination is performed.
If inflammation can be reduced, then allowing the teeth a time to move together, may be all that is needed for a diastema to disappear as horse's teeth can move closer to each other over time. Rasping a tooth can also have an enormous role for diastemas to resolve as often the tooth opposite to diastema is excessively high and pushes the feed material into the diastema and prevents diastema from closing. Reducing the height of this opposite tooth is very effective in this case.
Another treatment option is to make the diastema larger. The aim is to make the space between teeth large enough for the food to pass through instead of getting stuck. Alternative is to keep the horse on a diet that does not allow feed material to get stuck.
In some cases, tooth extraction can be the only option. Radiographs can be very useful to help with deciding about which tooth to extract.
Amongst everything else, our veterinarians always check the horse for the presence of diastemas during routine oral examinations. If diastemas are found, suggestions for management of specific case will be provided.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Periodontium is a complex of structures in horse’s mouth that’s purpose is to secure the tooth to the jaw.. Normally, these structures are well protected by horse’s normal defenses, but certain feeding practices or other diseases (diastema) can cause a periodontium to break down and gum line to recede which forms a periodontal pocket and weaken the attachment of the tooth. Periodontal disease is very painful condition for horse and the most common cause of premature tooth loss in horses.
Early recognition is very important to treat the disease and prevent tooth loss. Quite often horses do not present any signs until the disease is very severe. In this case dropping half-chewed feed, weight loss, bad breath, and issues whilst being ridden can be seen.
Amongst everything else, our veterinarians always check the horse for the presence of periodontal disease during routine oral examinations which should be performed at intervals 6-12 months. If periodontal disease is found, suggestions for management of specific case will be provided.